Blowout preventer multi-test joint device, system, and method for using the same

ABSTRACT

A test joint device installed in a well site includes a test joint with an outer diameter, a test plug disposed at a lower axial end of the test joint, a plurality of clamps configured to enlarge the outer diameter of the test joint; and a plurality of stop collars configured to retain the plurality of clamps in a vertical direction. A first clamp and a second clamp of the plurality of clamps are each attached to the test joint. The first clamp is configured to enlarge the outer diameter of the test joint to a first outer diameter and the second clamp is configured to enlarge the outer diameter of the test joint to a second outer diameter.

BACKGROUND

Drilling, exploring, or locating an oil or gas well includes using adrill string to break down a subterranean formation to create and extendthe depth of a wellbore. Drilling operations that involve rotarydrilling often utilize specially formulated drilling fluids, calleddrilling mud, to ensure proper lubrication, removal of drilled cuttings,and other waste created during the drilling process. Drilling mud alsoprovides sufficient pressure to ensure that fluids located insubterranean reservoirs do not enter the borehole, or wellbore, therebycontrolling formation pressures and maintaining wellbore stability.

In order to further control formation pressures, pressure controlequipment may include a blowout preventer (BOP) that aids in regaininglost well control. BOPs are specialized valves, series of valves, orsimilar mechanical devices that are used to seal, control, and monitoroil and gas wells. During a blowout, in which crude oil or natural gasis uncontrollably released from a well, one or more BOP(s) are used toseal the wellbore. Therefore, because BOPs are considered safetycritical equipment, BOPs must be routinely tested at regular intervalsto ensure functionality and compliance with associated metrics. However,repetitive or inefficient drilling operations may occur throughout thetesting period of the BOP.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that arefurther described below in the detailed description. This summary is notintended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

This disclosure presents, in one or more embodiments, a test jointdevice installed in a well site. The test joint device includes a testjoint with an outer diameter, a test plug disposed at a lower axial endof the test joint, a plurality of clamps configured to enlarge the outerdiameter of the test joint; and a plurality of stop collars configuredto retain the plurality of clamps in a vertical direction. A first clampand a second clamp of the plurality of clamps are each attached to thetest joint. The first clamp is configured to enlarge the outer diameterof the test joint to a first outer diameter and the second clamp isconfigured to enlarge the outer diameter of the test joint to a secondouter diameter.

This disclosure further presents a system. The system includes awellhead disposed at an upper axial end of a well that is configured tointerface with drilling and production equipment, and a test jointdevice. The test joint device includes a test joint with an outerdiameter, a test plug disposed at a lower axial end of the test joint, acentral housing comprising a vertical cavity that extends along avertical axis thereof, at least four piping arms that extend radiallyfrom the vertical cavity along directions that are orthogonal to thevertical axis, at least four ram blocks, each ram block of the at leastfour ram blocks being attached to a separate piping arm such that eachram block extends into the vertical cavity, a plurality of clampsconfigured to enlarge an outer pipe diameter of the test joint, and aplurality of stop collars configured to retain the plurality of clampsin a vertical direction. A first clamp and a second clamp of theplurality of clamps are each attached to the test joint. The first clampis configured to enlarge the outer diameter of the test joint to a firstouter diameter and the second clamp is configured to enlarge the outerdiameter of the test joint to a second outer diameter. The test joint isinserted into the vertical cavity of the central housing. The test jointdevice is configured to test a pressure applied to the test joint. Thetest plug is configured to seal the wellhead such that pressure developsinside the test joint device when the test joint device is filled withfluid.

This disclosure also presents a method for using a test joint device.The method includes installing a test joint device in a well site. Thetest joint device includes a test joint with an outer diameter, a testplug disposed at a lower axial end of the test joint, a central housingcomprising a vertical cavity that extends along a vertical axis thereof,at least four piping arms that extend radially from the vertical cavityalong directions that are orthogonal to the vertical axis, at least fourram blocks, each ram block of the at least four ram blocks beingattached to a separate piping arm such that each ram block extends intothe vertical cavity, a plurality of clamps configured to enlarge anouter pipe diameter of the test joint, and a plurality of stop collarsconfigured to retain the plurality of clamps in a vertical direction.The method further includes attaching a first clamp and a second clampof the plurality of clamps to the test joint, the first clamp includinga first outer diameter and the second clamp including a second outerdiameter. The test joint is then inserted into the vertical cavity ofthe central housing, and a pressure is tested on the test joint by thetest joint device.

Other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from the followingdescription and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the disclosed technology will now be describedin detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Like elements inthe various figures are denoted by like reference numerals forconsistency. The sizes and relative positions of elements in thedrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes ofvarious elements and angles are not necessarily drawn to scale, and someof these elements may be arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improvedrawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements asdrawn are not necessarily intended to convey any information regardingthe actual shape of the particular elements and have been solelyselected for ease of recognition in the drawing.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram showing an assembly including a blowoutpreventer in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section view of a schematic diagram block of a BOPmulti-test joint device in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section view of a schematic diagram block of a BOPmulti-test joint device in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section view of a schematic diagram block of a BOPmulti-test joint device in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart in accordance with one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific embodiments of the disclosure will now be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying Figures Like elements in the variousfigures are denoted by like reference numerals for consistency.

In the following detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a morethorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparentto one of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosure may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-known featureshave not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicatingthe description.

Throughout the application, ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third,etc.) may be used as an adjective for an element (i.e., any noun in theapplication). The use of ordinal numbers is not to imply or create anyparticular ordering of the elements nor to limit any element to beingonly a single element unless expressly disclosed, such as using theterms “before”, “after”, “single”, and other such terminology. Rather,the use of ordinal numbers is to distinguish between the elements. Byway of an example, a first element is distinct from a second element,and the first element may encompass more than one element and succeed(or precede) the second element in an ordering of elements.

In addition, throughout the application, the terms “upper” and “lower”may be used to describe the position of an element in a well. In thisrespect, the term “upper” denotes an element disposed closer to thesurface of the Earth than a corresponding “lower” element when in adownhole position, while the term “lower” conversely describes anelement disposed further away from the surface of the well than acorresponding “upper” element. Likewise, the term “axial” refers to anorientation substantially parallel to the well, while the term “radial”refers to an orientation orthogonal to the well. Similarly, the term“inner” refers to an orientation closer to a center of an object than acorresponding “outer” orientation.

In general, embodiments of the disclosure include a blowout preventer(BOP) multi-test joint device used to test different pipe ram sizes in aBOP by utilizing a drill pipe with a small outer diameter as a testjoint, and enlarging the test joint diameter via one or more additionalclamps. By way of example, a BOP may include three rams: a largerdiameter top ram, a smaller diameter middle ram, and a larger diameterbottom ram. Clamps are installed on the test joint that match the largerdiameter of the top and bottom rams, enlarging the effective outer pipediameter of the test joint. In order to prevent the upward movement ofthe clamps away from the rams, one or more stop collars are fixed to thetest joint above each clamp. Once the stop collars are installed, theBOP is tested to ensure proper sealing between the BOP, the clamps, andthe test joint.

Current BOP test practices involve running at least two separate testjoint sizes to pressure test each blowout preventer ram separately. Eachtest joint size is pressure tested by closing rams of the BOP around thetest joint, confirming a requisite pressure has been reached, andreplacing the test joint with a test joint of a separate size, which isthen tested as well.

However, BOP multi-test joint devices according to one or moreembodiments can seal around multiple test joint sizes in order towithstand the compression pressure developed during drilling and sealoff the well from the surface in case of a blowout. Consequently, theincreased efficiency of the BOP aids drilling operations by saving timeand money during BOP testing procedures involving multiple test jointsizes. Moreover, some embodiments may eliminate the need to run multipletest joints to perform blowout preventer rams pressure testing bycontaining all necessary test joint diameters to be tested, whichreduces the time needed to swap the tested test joint thereof.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram block illustrating an example of a wellsite 11. In general, well sites may be configured in a myriad of ways.Therefore, well site 11 is not intended to be limiting with respect tothe particular configuration of the drilling equipment. For example, thewell site 11 is depicted as being offshore on a marine riser 13, howeverthe well site 11 may be on land.

A drilling operation at the well site 11 may include drilling a boreholeinto a subterranean formation 21 of the Earth. During the drilling andcompletion stages of a drilling operation a blowout preventer (BOP) 17is lowered via a drill string 15 to a well 23, where the BOP 17 isinstalled on a wellhead 19 of the well 23. The BOP 17 is configured toseal and isolate fluid inside of the well 23 from the surface andsurrounding environment by actuating a series of ram blocks (e.g., shownin FIG. 2 ) that close the well 23 in case of uncontrolled fluid loss.The BOP 17 may also be configured to, in certain circumstances, severthe drill string 15 with a shear ram, thus preventing further fluid lossof the well 23 via the wellhead 19.

The drill string 15 includes a columnar series of connected drill pipesconfigured to transmit drilling mud from mud pumps disposed on themarine riser 13 to the well 23. The drilling mud is continuouslycirculated through the drill string 15 into the well 23 to aid indrilling operations and lubricate downhole tools (not shown). Inaddition, the wellhead 19 provides a structural and pressure containinginterface for the drilling and production equipment. Specifically, thewellhead 19 provides a suspension point and pressure seals for a drillstring 15 disposed within the well 23. As such, during the formation ofthe well 23 a wellhead 19 is typically welded onto the first or secondstring of the casing 25, which is cemented in place subsequent todrilling a section to form an integral structure of the well 23.

After the wellhead 19 is welded to the casing 25, the BOP 17 is attachedto the wellhead 19 and is pressure tested to confirm functionality. Topressure test the BOP 17, drilling rams (e.g., shown in FIG. 2 ) of theBOP 17 are closed around a test joint (e.g., shown in FIG. 2 ), andtesting fluid, such as water, is pumped into the BOP 17. The testingfluid is then pressurized from a pump system (not shown) of the marineriser 13, which causes pressure to develop between the BOP 17 and thetest joint (e.g., shown in FIG. 2 ). Once a requisite test pressure isreached without failure, the pressure testing is complete and a drillingoperation may resume.

FIG. 2 depicts a BOP multi-test joint device 27 of a BOP 17 according toone or more embodiments of the invention. In particular, during atesting operation of the BOP 17, the BOP multi-test joint device 27 isconfigured to actuate and surround the test joint 16 such that a testfluid cannot escape the BOP 17. As seen in FIG. 2 , the test joint 16 isembodied as an axially oriented drill pipe with an outer pipe diameter31. However, the test joint 16 may alternatively be embodied as a seriesof interconnected drill pipes.

At a lower axial end, the test joint 16 also includes a test plug 22. Asseen in FIG. 2 , the test plug 22 is configured to seal the wellhead 19during a pressurized testing of the BOP 17. The test plug 22 may furtherinclude a wear bushing (not shown), and may be embodied as a steel orrubber BOP cup tester that is attached to the lower end of test joint 16prior to inserting the test joint 16 into the BOP 17. Specifically, thetest plug 22 is lowered with the test joint 16 through the BOPmulti-test joint device 27 until the test plug 22 lands on a loadshoulder (not shown) of the wellhead 19. During the testing phase, thetest plug 22 retains testing fluid within the BOP 17 by preventing thetesting fluid from entering and exiting the wellhead 19.

By way of example, the test fluid may be water used to pressure test theBOP 17 throughout the pressurized testing procedure. As seen in FIG. 2 ,test fluids that are being returned to the surface are returned throughthe vertical cavity 33 of the BOP multi-test joint device 27, which isan annular space between a central housing 35 of the BOP multi-testjoint device 27 and the test joint 16. Thus, the test joint 16 and testplug 22 are subjected to the hydrostatic pressure developed within theBOP multi-test joint device 27 during pressurized testing of the BOP 17.

In order to achieve the purpose of sealing said annular space, the BOPmulti-test joint device 27 includes a central housing 35, formed as atubular body, that houses a plurality of piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45,47 configured to actuate in and out of a vertical cavity 33 of thecentral housing 35 to surround the test joint 16. The piping arms 37,39, 41, 43, 45, 47 are rigidly fixed to the central housing 35 andextend radially outwards such that the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45,47 extend orthogonal to a vertical axis 29 of the central housing 35. Asshown in FIG. 2 , the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 are bolted tothe central housing 35. However, the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47may also be welded, riveted, or otherwise rigidly attached to thecentral housing 35.

The piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 are hydraulic actuatorsconfigured to extend and withdraw from the central housing 35. Toachieve this purpose, the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 areactuated by a remote accumulator (not shown) such as a hydro-pneumaticor spring accumulator that pressurizes and extends the piping arms 37,39, 41, 43, 45, 47. The piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 mayalternatively be extended by electromagnetic means or pneumaticallyactuated. The piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 are formed of one ormore of the following: steel, stainless steel, manganese bronze,aluminum, iron, alloys, or equivalents known to one of ordinary skill inthe art.

At the inner radial end of the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 a ramblock 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 is fixed to the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43,45, 47 such that the ram block 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 extends into thecentral housing 35, while the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 arerigidly fixed to the exterior of the central housing 35. As depicted inFIG. 2 , the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 are each embodied as onehalf of a pipe ram and contain an axially extending semicircular holeconfigured to surround one side of the test joint 16. The ram blocks 49,51, 53, 55, 57, 59 are formed of metals such as steel, aluminum, orequivalent.

To form a complete seal around the test joint 16, the piping arms 37,39, 41, 43, 45, 47 and ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 are disposedradially opposite to each other, such that each ram block 49, 53, 57cooperates with another ram block 51, 55, 59 to form a pipe ram. To thisend, the uppermost ram blocks are referenced herein as the upper ramblocks 49, 51, while the central pair of ram blocks are referenced asthe middle ram blocks 53, 55 and the lowermost pair of ram blocks arereferenced as the lower ram blocks 57, 59.

During a testing operation, the test joint 16 may be interchanged with asecond test joint (not shown). This second test joint (not shown) may beformed of piping with an outer pipe diameter that is larger or smallerthan the outer pipe diameter 31 of the test joint 16. In order toaccommodate the second test joint (not shown), the opening created bythe upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the opening created by the lower ramblocks 57, 59 each correspond to the size of the second test joint (notshown). Conversely, the opening created by the middle ram blocks 53, 55,matches the outer pipe diameter 31 of the test joint 16.

Due to this orientation, the second test joint (not shown) is supportedwithin the BOP multi-test joint device 27 at corresponding upper andlower axial ends. However, depending on the outer pipe diameter 31 ofthe test joint 16, the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 may not sealproperly around the test joint 16 during pressurized testing of the BOP17. To this end, if the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 form anopening that is larger than the outer pipe diameter 31 the pressurizedfluid used during testing will bypass the upper ram blocks 49, 51 andthe lower ram blocks 57, 59.

To remedy the above situation, a first clamp 61 and a second clamp 63are fixed to the test joint 16. The first clamp 61 and second clamp 63are formed as two half-annulus shaped pieces that are attached with ascrew or bolt to form a piping clamp. The clamps 61, 63, and may beformed of steel, aluminum, iron, an alloy, or equivalent material, andare lined with rubber on the interior faces to facilitate sealing insideof the BOP multi-test joint device 27. Finally, the clamps 61, 63 extendin a vertical direction above and below the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55,57, 59 to ease sealing the BOP multi-test joint device 27 around thetest joint 16.

The first clamp 61 and second clamp 63 are configured to enlarge theouter pipe diameter 31 to the dimensions of the opening created betweenthe upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the opening created by the lower ramblocks 57, 59 when the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 are in anextended position. Therefore, the BOP multi-test joint device 27 issealed when the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the lower ram blocks 57, 59are extended such that fluid cannot pass through the vertical cavity 33of the central housing 35.

In order to ensure that the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and lower ram blocks57, 59 contact the clamps 61, 63, the first clamp 61 and the secondclamp 63 are separated by a fixed axial distance that corresponds to theaxial distance between the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the lower ramblocks 57, 59. Specifically, the first clamp 61 is fixed to the testjoint 16 at first location that is higher than a second location atwhich the second clamp 63 is installed, the first location and secondlocation being spaced apart the same distance that the upper ram blocks49, 51 are spaced apart from the lower ram blocks 57, 59.

In addition, this fixed distance is also maintained via stop collars 65,67 that are attached to the test joint 16 at the upper axial end of theclamps 61, 63 to prevent upward movement of the clamps 61, 63. The stopcollars 65, 67 are attached to the test joint 16 prior to inserting thetest joint 16 into the central housing 35 such that the stop collars 65,67 abut against the uppermost axial surface of the clamps 61, 63 when inthe BOP multi-test joint device 27. The stop collars 65, 67 may beembodied as hinged spiral nail collars, slip on set screw collars,hinged bolted collars, or equivalents, and may be formed of steel,aluminum, or equivalent.

Table 1, below, summarizes one example of potential sizes of the testjoint 16, the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, the clamps 61, 63, andthe stop collars 65, 67. The values depicted in Table 1 are not intendedto limit the scope of the invention in any regard. Rather, these valuesare provided in order to further enhance the description of oneembodiment of the claimed invention.

TABLE 1 Example Component Sizes Component Inner Diameter (in) OuterDiameter (in) Test Joint 16 3.64 4 Upper Ram Blocks 49, 51 5.5 N/AMiddle Ram Blocks 53, 55 4 N/A Lower Ram Blocks 57, 59 5.5 N/A Clamps61, 63 4   5.5 Stop Collar 65, 67 4 7

As shown in Table 1, for a test joint 16 with an outer pipe diameter 31of four inches and a BOP multi-test joint device 27 with five and a halfinch openings created by the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the lower ramblocks 57, 59, the clamps 61, 63 will each have a four inch innerdiameter and a five and a half inch outer diameter, while the stopcollars 65, 67 each have a four inch inner diameter as well.Accordingly, the clamps 61, 63 are sized according to the respectivesizes of the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the lower ram blocks 57, 59. Tothis end, the first clamp 61 may have a larger, smaller, or equivalentdiameter to the second clamp 63 depending on the opening created by theupper ram blocks 49, 51 and the lower ram blocks 57, 59.

During situations where the second test joint (not shown) is loweredthrough the BOP multi-test joint device 27 and has an outer diameterlarger than the diameter of the opening created by the middle ram blocks53, 55, the middle ram blocks 53, 55 remain fully retracted within thecentral housing 35. The second test joint (not shown) is then sealedusing the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the lower ram blocks 57, 59. Insuch instances, the upper ram blocks 49, 51 and the lower ram blocks 57,59 are sized according to the size of the second test joint (not shown)such that the second test joint (not shown) is sealed without the use ofclamps 61, 63 and the stop collars 65, 67.

Once the test joint 16, test plug 22, and the clamps 61, 63 areinstalled, the BOP multi-test joint device 27 is pressure tested. Topressure test the BOP multi-test joint device 27, pressurized fluid,such as drilling mud or water, is circulated through the BOP multi-testjoint device 27 until the vertical cavity 33, and, thus, the centralhousing 35, are filled with the pressurized fluid. The hydrostaticpressure from the pressurized fluid is exerted on the ram blocks 49, 51,53, 55, 57, 59, test joint 16, and test plug 18, and continues to builduntil a requisite pressure is reached. Because the central housing 35 isconfigured to handle a plurality of test pressures, once the requisitepressure is reached the BOP multi-test joint device 27 and BOP 17 areconsidered successfully tested and drilling operations may resume. Byway of example, the requisite pressure reached may be the lesser of therated test pressure of the wellhead 19 or the rated test pressure of theBOP 17.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of the BOP multi-test joint device 27 inwhich the upper ram blocks 49, 51 are larger than both the lower ramblocks 57, 59 and the middle ram blocks 53, 55. Specifically, the firstclamp 61 and the stop collar 65 are sized with an inner diameter thatmatches the outer pipe diameter 31, while the outer diameter of thefirst clamp 61 and the stop collar 65 matches the inner diameter of theupper ram blocks 49, 51. Similarly, the second clamp 63 and the stopcollar 67 are sized with an inner diameter that matches the outer pipediameter 31, while the outer diameter of the second clamp 63 and thestop collar 67 matches the inner diameter of the lower ram blocks 57,59.

Advantageously, this arrangement allows different sizes of drill pipeand casing to be used with the BOP multi-test joint device 27 during BOP17 testing procedures. In order to accommodate the multiple sizes ofpipes, the middle ram blocks 53, 55 are sized according to the size ofthe test joint 16, the upper ram blocks 49, 51 are sized according tothe outer diameter of a casing 25, and the lower ram blocks 57, 59 aresized according to the outer diameter of a second test joint (notshown).

FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of the invention in which the BOPmulti-test joint device 27 contains blind ram blocks 69, 71 that sealthe vertical cavity 33 during testing. Specifically, the blind ramblocks 69, 71 replace the upper ram blocks 49, 51 such that only thesecond clamp 63 and the stop collar 67 are used to pressure test the BOP17. The blind ram blocks 69, 71 are shaped and sized such that theyinterlock with each other in order to prevent fluid from exiting theupper axial end of the vertical cavity 33 when a drill string 15 has notbeen lowered into the well 23.

As seen in FIG. 4 , the blind ram blocks 69, 71 are disposed within thecentral housing 35 when the blind ram blocks 69, 71 are not actuated.Advantageously, this allows the blind ram blocks 69, 71 to avoidinterfering with the insertion and removal of the test joint 16 from theBOP multi-test joint device 27. In addition, by combining the blind ramblocks 69, 71 with the middle ram blocks 53, 55 and the lower ram blocks57, 59, the BOP 17, well 23, and wellhead 19 can be pressure tested whena test joint 16 is not present.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart in accordance with one or more embodiments.Specifically, FIG. 5 describes a method for using a BOP multi-test jointdevice 27. In some embodiments, the method may be implemented using thedevices described in reference to FIGS. 1-4 . While the various blocksin FIG. 5 are presented and described sequentially, one of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that some or all of the blocks may beexecuted in different orders, may be combined or omitted, and some orall of the blocks may be executed in parallel. Furthermore, the blocksmay be performed actively or passively.

In block 510, a BOP multi-test joint device 27 is installed at the wellsite 11. The BOP multi-test joint device 27 includes, but is not limitedto, the central housing 35, clamps 61, 63, stop collars 65, 67, a pipingarm 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, and a ram block 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59attached at the end of a piping arm 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47. The centralhousing 35 extends along a vertical axis 29 with a vertical cavity 33running axially therethrough. The piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47extends from the central housing 35 in a radial direction, orthogonal tothe vertical axis 29.

In block 520, the clamps 61, 63 are fixed to the test joint 16 byinstalling the clamps 61, 63 to the test joint 16. The clamps 61, 63each enlarge the size of the test joint 16 to the size of the ram block49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 corresponding thereto. Therefore, each clamp 61,63 has a respective outer diameter that matches the respective diameterof the opening created by the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59.

Stop collars 65, 67 are also attached to the test joint 16, and the stopcollars 65, 67 may be attached by clamping, with or without a set screw,the stop collars 65, 67 to the test joint 16. The stop collars 65, 67serve to retain the clamps 61, 63 in a vertical direction when pressureis applied to the clamps 61, 63. As such, the stop collars 65, 67 aredisposed above the clamps 61, 63 such that the stop collars 65, 67 abutagainst the upper axial end of the clamps 61, 63.

In block 530, the test joint 16 is inserted into the vertical cavity 33of the central housing 35. Specifically, the test joint 16 is runthrough the entirety of the BOP multi-test joint device 27 such that thetest joint 16 extends above the BOP multi-test joint device 27 while thetest plug 22 is landed in the wellhead 19. Concurrently, the first clamp61 and the second clamp 63, which are attached to the test joint 16, areaxially aligned with the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59.

In block 540, the BOP multi-test joint device 27 is used to test apressure on the test joint 16 and test plug 22. Testing the pressureincludes actuating the piping arms 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 and ram blocks49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 in a radial direction such that the ram blocks49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 securely abut against the first clamp 61, thesecond clamp 63, and the test joint 16. Subsequently, pressurized fluidis pumped through the test joint 16 into the vertical cavity 33. Thehydrostatic pressure from the pressurized fluid exerts a resultantpressure on the ram blocks 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59. Once a predeterminedtest pressure has been reached without failure, the testing is completeand a drilling operation may resume.

While FIGS. 1-5 show various configurations of components, otherconfigurations may be used without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. For example, various components in FIG. 1-4 may be combinedto create a single component. As another example, the functionalityperformed by a single component may be performed by two or morecomponents. Further, the number of ram blocks and piping arms may beincreased or decreased as desired. Finally, although the ram blocks aredescribed herein as being pipe rams, the ram blocks may be replaced withshear rams, variable bore rams, or blind-shear rams.

As discussed above, current blowout preventer (BOP) test practicesinvolve running two separate test joint sizes to pressure test eachblowout preventer ram separately. Accordingly, BOPs equipped with a BOPmulti-test joint device may eliminate the need to run multiple testjoints to perform blowout preventer ram blocks pressure testing bycontaining all necessary test joint diameters to be tested, whichreduces the time needed to swap the test joints. In turn, the increasedsafety of the BOP aids drilling operations by saving time and moneyduring BOP pressure testing procedures involving multiple test jointsizes.

While the disclosure has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of thisdisclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised whichdo not depart from the scope of the disclosure as disclosed herein.Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure should be limited only by theattached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A test joint device installed in a well site, thetest joint device comprising: a test joint with an outer diameter; atest plug disposed at a lower axial end of the test joint; a pluralityof clamps configured to enlarge the outer diameter of the test joint;and a plurality of stop collars configured to retain the plurality ofclamps in a vertical direction; wherein a first clamp and a second clampof the plurality of clamps are each attached to the test joint, thefirst clamp being configured to enlarge the outer diameter of the testjoint to a first outer diameter and the second clamp being configured toenlarge the outer diameter of the test joint to a second outer diameter.2. The test joint device of claim 1, further comprising: a centralhousing comprising a vertical cavity that extends along a vertical axisthereof; at least four piping arms that extend radially from thevertical cavity along directions that are orthogonal to the verticalaxis; at least four ram blocks, each ram block of the at least four ramblocks being attached to a separate piping arm such that each ram blockextends into the vertical cavity; wherein the test joint is insertedinto the vertical cavity of the central housing, and wherein the testjoint device is configured to test a pressure applied to the test joint.3. The test joint device of claim 1, wherein the first clamp is attachedto the test joint at a first location that is higher than a secondlocation at which the second clamp is attached.
 4. The test joint deviceof claim 2, wherein the first outer diameter is equivalent to the secondouter diameter.
 5. The test joint device of claim 2, wherein the firstouter diameter is larger than the second outer diameter.
 6. The testjoint device of claim 2, wherein the first outer diameter is smallerthan the second outer diameter.
 7. The test joint device of claim 2,wherein the central housing is a tubular body configured to handle aplurality of pressure ratings.
 8. The test joint device of claim 1,wherein each stop collar of the plurality of stop collars abuts againsta separate clamp of the plurality of clamps.
 9. A system comprising: awellhead disposed at an upper axial end of a well, the wellhead beingconfigured to interface with drilling and production equipment, a testjoint device, the test joint device comprising: a test joint with anouter diameter; a test plug disposed at a lower axial end of the testjoint; a central housing comprising a vertical cavity that extends alonga vertical axis thereof, at least four piping arms that extend radiallyfrom the vertical cavity along directions that are orthogonal to thevertical axis, at least four ram blocks, each ram block of the at leastfour ram blocks being attached to a separate piping arm such that eachram block extends into the vertical cavity, a plurality of clampsconfigured to enlarge an outer pipe diameter of the test joint, and aplurality of stop collars configured to retain the plurality of clampsin a vertical direction, wherein a first clamp and a second clamp of theplurality of clamps are each attached to the test joint, the first clampbeing configured to enlarge the outer pipe diameter to a first outerdiameter and the second clamp being configured to enlarge the outer pipediameter to a second outer diameter, wherein the test joint is insertedinto the vertical cavity of the central housing, wherein the test jointdevice is configured to test a pressure applied to the test joint,wherein the test plug is configured to seal the wellhead such thatpressure develops inside the test joint device when the test jointdevice is filled with fluid.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein thefirst clamp is attached to the test joint at a first location that ishigher than a second location at which the second clamp is attached. 11.The system of claim 9, wherein the first outer diameter is equivalent tothe second outer diameter.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the firstouter diameter is larger than the second outer diameter.
 13. The systemof claim 9, wherein the first outer diameter is smaller than the secondouter diameter.
 14. A method for using a test joint device, the methodcomprising: installing the test joint device in a well site, the testjoint device comprising: a test joint with an outer diameter; a testplug disposed at a lower axial end of the test joint; a plurality ofclamps configured to enlarge an outer pipe diameter of a test joint, anda plurality of stop collars configured to retain the plurality of clampsin a vertical direction, attaching a first clamp and a second clamp ofthe plurality of clamps to the test joint, the first clamp including afirst outer diameter and the second clamp including a second outerdiameter.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the test joint devicefurther comprises: a central housing comprising a vertical cavity thatextends along a vertical axis thereof; at least four piping arms thatextend radially from the vertical cavity along directions that areorthogonal to the vertical axis; at least four ram blocks, each ramblock of the at least four ram blocks being attached to a separatepiping arm such that each ram block extends into the vertical cavity;wherein the test joint is inserted into the vertical cavity of thecentral housing, and wherein the test joint device is configured to testa pressure applied to the test joint.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the central housing is a tubular body configured to handle aplurality of pressure ratings.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein thefirst clamp is attached to the central housing at a first location thatis higher than a second location at which the second clamp is attached.18. The method of claim 14, wherein the first outer diameter isequivalent to the second outer diameter.
 19. The method of claim 14,wherein the first outer diameter is larger than the second outerdiameter.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the first outer diameteris smaller than the second outer diameter.